CPC Meeting January 23 – Notes

The Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC) met on January 23rd to finalize the public discussion of including Backyard Cottages (BYCs) in Raleigh’s new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This was the last time citizens could join the public discussion. The goal of the meeting was for the CPC to come to a consensus for its proposal to the City Council.

You can watch the meeting on the City of Raleigh’s streaming site for RTN11 (Raleigh Television Network). Follow these steps:

• Click: http://www.raleighnc.gov/portal/portal/cor/ext/RTNVideos
• On the site, click “Other Government Meetings”
• Find the link for the video for the “Comprehensive Planning Committee Meeting” on Jan 23, 2012.

Russ Stephenson proposed additional development standards, clarified other regulations, and introduced a document submittal requirement. Rear and side setbacks were increased due to privacy and fire safety. This also includes an additional increase to side setbacks depending on the height of the BYC. The former regulation of a max of 4 unrelated people per property was further defined to say only 2 people (related or not) in the BYC. There was some additional discussion of adult vs. child and resident vs. long-term guests. Other regulations were introduced for quality assurance and privacy – the BYC should be made of similar materials and roof form as the primary residence, and windows should be offset or screened from neighboring residences. The document submittal requirement would include site plan, plan, and primary elevation with additional notes and information.

The CPC agreed to propose the development standards in its complete and revised form, which would include modifications made by Russ Stephenson.

The second part of the CPC proposal to City Council refers to how BYCs will be implemented in Raleigh. The CPC agreed to an “opt-in/neighborhood pilot” where Council will create a overlay boundary where BYCs would be allowed, following the development standards. The neighborhood/boundary would be selected with extensive neighborhood engagement. It is considered a “pilot,” because Council could later modify the boundary to include more neighborhoods, or make it citywide.

The CPC will present its proposal to City Council on February 5th. The Council will vote on adopting the revisions.

See the CPC draft proposal in its current state with Russ Stephenson’s comments here:

CPC 112112 Backyard Cottages+RS3

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Next BYC Meeting

The Comprehensive Planning Committee will discuss BYCs at their next meeting, Wednesday January 23 at 5pm in Council Chambers. This is the third, and potentially final, meeting before the Committee presents their recommendations to City Council.

Download the agenda packet for this meeting. It includes proposed modifications and additions to the accessory dwelling regulations. 

City Council review of UDO Chapter 2

The review of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) continues to progress.

The Planning Commission has extensively reviewed the UDO Draft, and presented their recommendations to the City Council in September. City Council is currently reviewing the draft, chapter by chapter, and will vote on its adoption in December. The public is welcome to attend their review meetings, which take place in the Council Chambers. The meeting schedule (download pdf) and UDO documents are available online at the City of Raleigh website.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) will be covered in City Council’s next meeting, reviewing Chapter 2: Residential Districts (download pdf). Attend the meeting this Monday October 15 4-6pm at City Hall to follow the discussion in person, or check back soon for a summary.